How You Can Help the Philippines After Typhoon Haiyan

November 11th, 2013
by
Kathryn Cardenas

A man paints a message on a basketball court that reads "Help SOS We Need Food" in Tacloban, Philippines after the city was devastated by Super Typhoon Haiyan on November 11, 2013. (Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images)

To see how Asia Society's corporate sponsors are coming to the aid of typhoon survivors in the Philippines, click here. And to meet an Asia Society Asia 21 Young Leader who started a grassroots relief effort called Bundles of Joy, click here.

Typhoon Haiyan tore through the Philippines on Friday, killing an estimated 4,000 people and leaving more than 600,000 displaced in its wake. (Both figures subject to change.) As the scale of the devastation becomes clear, many of us around the world are looking for ways we can help.

Cash is the primary assistance needed for relief efforts. The United Nations reports that US$300 million in cash is still needed to rehabilitate the affected provinces of the Philippines, and address longer-term issues such as rebuilding cities, homes, schools, hospitals, businesses and livelihoods.

In consultation with its Philippines Center, Asia Society would like to direct members and online readers to the following charities and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) who are already responding to this disaster.

Emergency support(updated 11/14/13)

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee is working with local authorities, the Filipino Jewish community and their global partners to assist in providing for survivors' immediate needs. You can support their efforts online or by phone at 1-212-687-6200.

AmeriCares has an emergency shipment on the way to the Philippines with enough medical aid for 20,000 survivors, including antibiotics, wound care supplies and pain relievers. Their emergency response team is on the ground coordinating aid deliveries and assessing needs. To donate, go to americares.org/philippines or call 1(800) 486-HELP.

CARE's emergency response teams are coordinating with local partners in the Philippines to provide food, water, shelter and health care for those in need. You can support CARE's efforts on their website, or by phone at 1-800-521-2273 within the United States or +1-404-681-2252 outside the U.S.

Catholic Relief Services is on the ground helping with water purification, shelter materials and essential living supplies. Donate to the organization's efforts online, or call 1-877-435-7277.

Citi has set up a special account to raise funds for the Philippine Red Cross to assist in rebuilding communities affected by the typhoon. Details as follows:

Convoy of Hope's Global Disaster Response Team has shipping containers full of food and supplies on the way to the Philippines. The organization is preparing more supplies to be sent like canned goods, hygiene kits and water filtration units. You can visit Convoy of Hope's website to donate funds to their efforts or call 1-417-823-8998.

Give2Asia is committed to addressing longer term rehabilitation needs and has partnered with local charities, invested in long-term recovery projects, and reports back to donors on how every dollar is spent. They have launched a disaster response effort for the victims of the typhoon. Click here to donate.

The International Rescue Committee has dispatched an emergency team to Manila and launched a $10 million appeal in order to ensure immediate needs like safe water, hygiene and sanitation are met.

Mercy Corps is preparing to deliver food, water, temporary shelter and other basic supplies to devastated areas throughout the Philippines. You can support the organization by donating through their website, PayPal, or by calling 1-888-747-7440.

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) has deployed rescue and relief teams to evaluate the damage in the areas devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. You can donate to the Philippine Red Cross by selecting the Supertyphoon Yolanda campaign on their donation page. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and Red Cross networks from around the world are supporting the Philippine Red Cross. Many have created specific funds for this disaster, including the American Red Cross, Canadian Red Cross and the British Red Cross.

The Salvation Army is on the ground serving storm survivors, primarily with food, water and shelter. Emergency disaster service teams have been providing help since the typhoon hit, but are challenged by the lack of accessible roads to transport goods and medical supplies. The non-profit has set up a designated fund for Haiyan relief efforts, which you can donate to here or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769).

The U.S.-Philippines Society is accepting donations toward disaster relief kits for Filipinos who are vulnerable to health-related effects of typhoon damage.

The World Food Program is accepting donations toward emergency food assistance for families and children in the area hit by the typhoon.

Missing persons and more information (updated 11/19/13)

If you're looking for someone missing in the Philippines, or if you have information about someone there, Google.org has launched the Typhoon Yolanda Person Finder. A Google crisis map is also online, detailing evacuation centers and areas designated for relief. The Philippine government has also compiled an official list of casualties.

Please support the Crisis Relief Map by submitting critical information or reports about the following:

If you would like to monitor the status of foreign aid and how the funds are being spent, please go to: http://www.gov.ph/faith/

If you would like to learn more about the international aid that has already been provided, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs has compiled a matrix of international assistance offered for the relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by typhoon Haiyan. Click here to view.

Watch AsiaSociety.org for further information on typhoon relief efforts in the Philippines.

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